Health facilities try to slow flu virus with guidelines for visits

Thursday

Jan 23, 2014 at 10:22 PM

Zach Berg of the Journal Star

PEORIA — Local hospitals on Thursday asked residents to limit their visits in an attempt to slow the spread of the flu.

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, UnityPoint Health-Methodist and UnityPoint Health-Proctor released a joint news release to announce their guidelines to limiting visits, but the practice is not just limited to them.

Both Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Eureka and Pekin Hospital also are heeding the guidelines, handed down by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Hospital Association.

Asking people to limit their visits is not the only suggestion. They suggest all visitors should be at least 18 years old since children transmit viruses at a higher rate. Anyone who is not feeling well is asked to stay at home. If people do visit, they will be asked to cover their coughs and sneezes.

"We do this when the flu virus is at its peak, it's the best way to help stop the spread of the flu," Jepson said.

The guidelines will stay in effect until the flu season has subsided. Flu season typically runs from October through May. While voluntary in nature, the guidelines may be made mandatory if the flu season gets worse and represents a higher risk to the community.

Zach Berg can be reached at zberg@pjstar.com or 686-3257. Follow him on Twitter @ZacharyBerg.